Best Beaches in Croatia

Located on the island of Brac off the coast of Split, Zlatni Rat Beach – also called Golden Horn Beach or Golden Horn and originally called Dugi Rat and Long Cape – is a 500-meters-long, popular, and south-facing beach with gravel, some light-brown sand, many pebbles, and nearby pine trees in Croatia.  This pebble beach has a unique shape, which resembles the English alphabet “V” and it is located near the town of Bol.  The tip of this V-shaped beach seasonally changes in size and shape because of natural wind and water movements – the tip of this V-shaped beach is usually straight in the summer.  However, its tip sometimes turns eastwards in early summer and it sometimes turns westwards in autumn.    

Travel+Leisure magazine and The Times newspaper have listed Zlatni Rat Beach as one of the 15 best and most beautiful beaches in Croatia in 2024.  Travel+Leisure magazine listed this beach as one of the 20 best beaches in Europe in 2024.  In addition, a travel website named Big 7 Travel also listed Zlatni Rat Beach Croatia as one of the 50 best beaches in the world, and it is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.  In addition, Zlatni Rat Beach is family-friendly beach that also been awarded a Blue Flag because of its cleanliness.  

This beach is also a popular nude beach – the western side of this clothing-optional beach is particularly popular with nudists. 

Located east of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Plaza Banje - also known as Banje Beach - is an immensely popular, world-famous 300-meter-long and 100-meter-wide beige sand beach with many pebbles.  The beach is considered one of the most popular beaches of the region and has a spectacular background of cliffs, lush vegetation, and many oceanfront buildings, including homes, restaurants, and nightclubs, that offer stunning views of Dubrovnik's city walls, the island of Lokrum, Port Dubrovnik, and the Adriatic Sea.

Dugi Otok Island – which translates to “Long Island” – is a 50-kilometer long sliver of island inhabited by only 1,500 locals, and is home to some fantastic beach escapes.  Sakarun Beach consists of 800 meters of brilliant white pebble beach, curling around an enclosed bay with a shallow swimming area that extends 250 meters from the beachfront.  The tantalizing, clear waters shine with turquoise hues, reminiscent of the Caribbean.

Situated on Dugi Otok’s uninhabited and untouched southern coast, Sakarun Beach is the most popular beach on the island.  Although this sandy stretch is located over a mile from the nearest towns (Soline, Veli Rat, and Verunić), you’ll never feel the need to leave the beach during your perfect vacation day.  Amarcord Beach Bar sits on the southern edge and offers beachfront picnic tables, food, drinks, and rental lounge chairs. You can also escape from the sun into the thick pine forest, just a few feet behind the beach.

Reaching the beach area can be a bit complicated – you can take the daily ferry from Zadar, which runs about 1 hour and 20 minutes.  The beach itself can be reached by train from Božava, bus, or car on a dirt road that leads to beachside parking. Taking a boat over to the beach is also an option, and the bay is a popular spot to anchor for the day and enjoy the beach.  Since the island has so few inhabitants, transportation is not readily available, so your best choice may be to rent a car. While in the area, be sure to visit the Veli Rat lighthouse – built in 1849, it’s the tallest lighthouse on the Croatian coast at 138 feet (42 meters).  Overall, Sakarun Beach is a gorgeous vacation destination that has it all!

Stiniva Beach is located on the island of Vis in the Adriatic Sea off the Dalmatia coast. The island of Vis is most easily accessible by taking a two-hour catamaran ride from the city of Split to the port city of Vis. Vis is the largest city on the island with a population of just under 2,000 people; in the city, you will find many attractions such as the Fort George Restaurant and Bar, the Archaeological Museum, and Tito’s Cave, which is home to the eponymous World War II general’s headquarters.

The island of Vis has been home to fishermen and winemakers for thousands of years, so it’s no surprise that the food and wine on the island is of unbelievable quality. Resident winemaster Antonio Lipanović offers tours of his vineyards and wine tasting just outside of the city of Vis. On one of these tours, you will taste the island’s specialty wines, a full-flavored red called “Plavac Mali” and a dry white named “Vugava.” The island is known for its fine dining as well; for those willing to travel a few miles from downtown, the Konoba Roki restaurant offers delicious seafood dishes, slow-cooked in Dalmatia’s famous ispod peke style.

No trip to the city would be complete without a trip to the beach. Located two miles south of Vis, Stiniva Beach is accessible only by hiking down the limestone cliffs or by water taxi from the neighboring town of Rukavac. The beach is less than 100 yards in length, but its natural beauty is unmatched by many beaches in the world; photographers especially love the sheer cliffs that form a near circle around the beach – the only opening to the sea is a 30-foot gate offshore. For those feeling particularly adventurous, continue your boating tour by visiting the Blue Grotto and the Green Cave, both of which are famous kayaking destinations in Croatia. Visit the island of Vis and its best beach, Stiniva, before this island becomes mainstream!

Nestled between two slopes at the base of a horseshoe-shaped cove, Dubovica Beach exudes the sense that you’re on your own private island.  Situated eight kilometers east of the historic city of Hvar, Dubovica is a peaceful pebble beach bordered by untouched, mountainous terrain and deep, blue waters that will beckon you in for a relaxing swim.  Highway D116 will take you from Hvar city – where you can enjoy a renaissance-era square, 700-year-old city walls, a medieval fortress, and a Franciscan Monastery – straight to the beach, where you’ll have to take a short but steep hike down to the water.  Adventurous travelers will enjoy hiking the slopes behind the beach or driving along a gorgeous road splitting from highway D116 that meanders down Hvar’s southern coast.

Dubovica Beach is a perfect place to spend a relaxing day – it is relatively secluded and just far enough out of town that you’ll feel like you’re on a private beach.  But don’t worry about this serenity being too rustic -- you’ll have the luxury of being served by Dubovica Beach Bar and the Konoba Dubovica restaurant. If you’re looking to stay the night, get a beachfront room in the Villa Benedeta or the Natura Beach House.  Hvar Island was voted one of the best destinations in Europe by “European Best Destinations,” and Dubovica is a great place to enjoy the sunny weather. Enjoy your slice of paradise!

Located near the town of Baska, on the island of Krk, Sveti Ivan Beach - also known as Plaza Sveti Ivan or Plaza Sveti Ivan Baska - is a small pebbly beach with many rocky portions.  The beach is positioned near Baska Beach in a natural cove along the northern Adriatic Sea and has a beautiful backdrop of rugged cliffs, rocky hills, and a few oceanfront buildings, providing a serene coastal experience.  Plaza Sveti Ivan is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve natural beauty and wildlife.

Located along the eastern coast of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Betina Cave Beach is a small beige sand beach with many rocky portions.  The beach is situated within a natural cave and has a spectacular background of towering limestone cliffs, lush vegetation, and many oceanfront buildings, giving it a natural, sheltered environment that offers stunning views of Dubrovnik's city walls, the island of Lokrum, Port Dubrovnik, and the Adriatic Sea.

Located on the southern tip of the town of Baska on the Croatian island of Krk in the northern Adriatic Sea, Vela Plaza Beach - also known as Plaza Baska or Vela Plaza Baska —is an immensely popular 1,800-meter-long and 25-meter-wide pebbly beach.  It is one of the longest beaches on the island and has a beautiful backdrop of rugged cliffs, rocky hills, and many oceanfront buildings, including beach bars and many restaurants, providing a serene coastal experience along the northern Adriatic Sea.  Vela Plaza Beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve natural beauty and wildlife.   Vela Plaza Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag certification by the European Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) due to its natural beauty, cleanliness, and water quality standards.

Croatia’s Zrce Beach is located in Novalja on the beautiful, western island of Pag. The city of Novalja has a permanent population of nearly 4,000 people, but during the summer season, it’s a far different story -- flocks of partiers descend on the city for its raucous parties.

Zrce Beach is known for its beautiful, white pebbles and vibrant, teal waters, which set the scene for the perfect party atmosphere. Beachside bars and imported palm trees are plentiful, and so are the drinks. The main reason that visitors come to Zrce Beach is to visit the beach’s six clubs! Club options range from the affordable Papaya Club to the luxurious and scenic Noa Beach Club. Our favorite is Rocks Beach Club, which hosts the best nightlife events right on the sand. If you’re planning ahead, you should try to visit on a weekend of a music festival to get the full experience – festivals such as the Hideout Festival, Fresh Island Festival, and Black Sheep Festival are held annually.

For visitors who don’t particularly enjoy the party scene, Zrce Beach still offers a myriad of things to do. Activities on the beach include waterskiing, wakeboarding, and jet-skiing. Jet-ski rentals are available from Vodeni Sports Rental on the south side of the beach. The neighboring city of Novalja offers attractions such as the old Pag town, vineyard tours, and the Town Museum, which offers underground tunnel tours. Zrce Beach and Novalja as a whole offer something for all types of travelers, so be sure to book your trip today!

Escape the hustle and bustle of Paradise Beach, a party destination on Lopar, and head a few miles down the road to Sahara Beach to experience untouched nature and a serene environment. Enjoy the smooth sand, turquoise waters, and overall natural beauty. Sahara Beach is surrounded by marked nature trails and is a great place to go on an adventure. Perhaps the reason why Sahara Beach is the epitome of relaxation is its classification as a nude beach -- you’ll see a lot of carefree beachgoers enjoying the freedom of this paradise.

The San Marino Sunny Resort is near Sahara Beach and is the perfect place to call home for a night or two, especially considering its reasonable rates. After a quiet day of relaxing at Sahara Beach, head back to civilization and enjoy all that Lopar has to offer. Mini-golfing and water-sliding are available at Tony Fun Park, and hiking is available at Komrcar Park. Explore the local cuisine of Lopar and reward yourself with a meal at Konoba Ankora, enjoying the best local seafood dishes. Overall, Sahara Beach is the perfect destination for those looking to get away from all the stresses and judgment of everyday life -- book your escape today!

Located on the Isabella Island, near the coastal town of Porec, in the Istria region of Croatia, Val Maro Beach - also known as Val Maro family Beach or Plaza Maro Porec​ - is a 50-meter-long beige sand beach with pebbles.  The beach is positioned within the Valamar Isabella Island Resort and has a spectacular backdrop of several oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Adriatic Sea.   The beach is divided into two sections: one is shaped like a sandy plateau with steps leading into the sea, and the other is shaped like a pool with a pebbly seabed and shallow access to the water.  Val Maro Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag certification due to its natural beauty, cleanliness, and water quality standards.  In addition, the beach promotes eco-friendly practices, ensuring cleanliness and sustainability.

Divna Beach is the epitome of an adventurous, Mediterranean vacation spot. Perfectly clear, aqua-tinted water gently laps onto white pebble beach, situated on Diva cove between two green-coated, rocky mountains. This 400-meter long beach is a great family setting -- perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. There are two campgrounds just behind the beach, perfect for a family looking to bond at the beach. Two popular activities are hiking and kayaking along the breathtaking cove, admiring the surrounding scenery of this small paradise. Another activity is hiking Sveti Ilija Peak, towering in the middle of the island behind the beach.

Divna Beach is quite secluded, with the exception of the beachfront bar, so your best bet to find restaurants and hotels is to drive just 10 kilometers east to the town of Trpanj. Although Trpanj is a small village of only about 900 residents, it has many popular restaurants, including Riba, Konoba Skojera, Slasticarna Obala, Saints Hills Winery, and Caffe Bar Veslo. You might also want to check out Gradina, a medieval fortress featuring 60 meters of walls and some of Trpanj’s centuries-old churches. Divna’s unspoiled beach, cove, and island make for some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in all of Croatia -- plan your vacation there today!

Located on the island of Sveti Klement in the Paklinski Islands in the Hvar archipelago, Palmizana Beach is a small beige sand beach with many pebbles and rocky portions.  The beach is positioned along the protected bay of Vinogradisce and has a beautiful backdrop of a lush, Mediterranean environment with pine forests, rosemary bushes, and cactus gardens nearby, creating a picturesque setting on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.

Located near the small village of Stara Baska on the island of Krk, Croatia, Oprna Beach - also known as Beach Oprna - is a small pebbly beach with many rocky portions. The beach is positioned on the shores of a sheltered Oprna Bay and has a beautiful backdrop of rocky hills, cliffs, and olive trees, providing scenic views of the Adriatic Sea, Plavnik Island, and Cres Island.